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Merganser #8111574 01/02/21 02:21 AM
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jmh004 Offline OP
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[Linked Image]


I’ll start off by saying I’m no duck hunter whatsoever. I’ve noticed a few duck on our ponds on our family ranch. I’ve got twin boys that are 7, and are ate up with hunting. They asked if we could try the ducks, and I said sure. Long story short, we sneak up on the pond, and I shot this duck. I’m 34 years old, and it is the first duck I have ever shot. I checked with my duck hunting buddies, and they told me it was a Hooded Merganser, and that it’s a pretty rare duck. My question is, how rare is this duck exactly? Especially as someone’s first ever duck.

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8111587 01/02/21 02:29 AM
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Wouldn’t say they’re that rare, at least in my parts

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8111852 01/02/21 12:53 PM
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Not rare to see at all, just rare that people shoot them because they are terrible table fare. Pretty birds though.

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8111913 01/02/21 02:26 PM
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Not super rare, was my first duck as well.
They make great mounts!



Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8111934 01/02/21 02:38 PM
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I see them frequently here around Wichita Falls. I did shoot 2 cinnamons 2 weeks ago I am sending off to the taxi.


Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8111963 01/02/21 02:54 PM
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It’s pretty

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8111985 01/02/21 03:12 PM
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I shot 1, and it went on the wall. I pass on them now. Also they are not ducks, separate bag limit.

Re: Merganser [Re: Guy] #8111991 01/02/21 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Guy
I shot 1, and it went on the wall. I pass on them now. Also they are not ducks, separate bag limit.

I guess technically it is in the seaduck family, but does not count against your duck bag limit.

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8112283 01/02/21 06:49 PM
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Wall. Best place for them. Although you can make sausage out of anything.

And congrats!

Last edited by jnd59; 01/02/21 06:50 PM.

No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8112591 01/02/21 11:58 PM
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[Linked Image]Took a pic of these while deer hunting this evening. Today was the first time I have ever seen them. I been hunting North Texas now for 40 years. Guess I never was in the right place at the right time.


If I'm not hunting something I must be dead.
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8112908 01/03/21 03:04 AM
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I have shot a lot of them. Some places I hunt like western OK they are fairly plentiful. I even have the decoys. These days most all birds I shoot get made into sausage after the seasons are over so to me a bird is a bird. Well, except for Coots. Coots are bad for anything. Even for use in sausage. That is unless unless your name is Hopedale. Mergansers being bonus birds to the duck limit, I shoot em if I see them. The hooded drakes do make beautiful mounts. It is the only duck I have ever had mounted.

[Linked Image]

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8112936 01/03/21 03:27 AM
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That is exactly what I told my boys in the blind with me. I said, "If I shot one of those I would have to get it mounted".


If I'm not hunting something I must be dead.
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8113321 01/03/21 03:06 PM
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Yeah that’s the plan is to get it mounted. I actually shot a pair. Male and female. Any suggestions on how it should look?

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8113328 01/03/21 03:12 PM
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Not that rare
Not good to eat
Very pretty
Makes a good mount


HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded
GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8113332 01/03/21 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by jmh004
Yeah that’s the plan is to get it mounted. I actually shot a pair. Male and female. Any suggestions on how it should look?



[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded
GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8113563 01/03/21 05:58 PM
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👍👍

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8114552 01/04/21 03:22 PM
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[Linked Image]

I shot this one a few days back. He's going to the taxi for sure!


[Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8114772 01/04/21 05:53 PM
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What county are you in?

Re: Merganser [Re: nacgoat08] #8114880 01/04/21 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by nacgoat08
What county are you in?


Not sure if you mean Me or the OP, but Im hunting in Hopkins Co.


[Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8115203 01/04/21 10:57 PM
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Milam County

Re: Merganser [Re: BradyBuck] #8115267 01/04/21 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by BradyBuck
Not that rare
Not good to eat
Very pretty
Makes a good mount


Would let the twins pop a couple and have them mounted.


Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8115379 01/05/21 12:49 AM
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There’s 6-8 Red Heads hanging around now. Might try to see if I can get them on those.

Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8115941 01/05/21 02:32 PM
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I wouldn't say rare, we killed a pair of hooded drakes this past Sat morning.


Stickin' gills and Stackin' bills

In a world of compromise..... some dont....
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8116314 01/05/21 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by jmh004

. My question is, how rare is this duck exactly? Especially as someone’s first ever duck.


First, it's not a duck. It is a merganser.

Second, not rare at all.


“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭6:8‬
Re: Merganser [Re: jmh004] #8119685 01/07/21 10:21 PM
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Not to rare just depends on location


Conservation is using a well trained retriever.
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